Inserts for necks of hollow knobs and the like



Jan. 23, 1962 F. H. MCMEEN ETAL 3,017,658

INSERTS FOR NECKS OF HOLLOW KNOBS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 11, 1959[All/(1111 3,017,658 INSERIS FOR NECKS OF HOLLOW KNOBS AND THE LIKEForrest H. McMeen, Temple City, Bruno Aston, West Covina, and George R.Stucka, Arcadia, Calif., assignors to Voi-Shan Industries, Inc., LosAngeles, Calif., a corporation E Illinois Filed Dec. 11, 1959, Ser. No.858,977 Claims. (Cl. 16-121) This invention relates, generally, toinnovations and improvements in hollow button-like inserts which arel-aterally or radially distensible into frictional engagement with theinterior surfaces of sleeve or tubular sections. The invention furtherrelates to door knobs, drawer pulls, handles and the like comprisingknob portions having hollow necks with the hollow button-like inserts ofthis invention frictionally retained therein.

Hollow door knobs `are presently manufactured on a large scale in thiscountry in accordance with the method and .apparatus described in Patent2,688,297. These door knobs produced are characterized by the fact thatthe hollow neck portions thereof are accurately nished to dimension,especially the interior neck surfaces. They are of excellent qualit-ylin that the metal is dense and has an excellent linish. It has beenfound that hollow knobs of this type may be readily converted into dooror drawer pulls and handles by combining the same with the hollowbutton-like inserts of the present invention.

The hollow button-like inserts of the present invention may be producedon a quantity production basis at low unit cost by stamping and assemblyoperations. Theretore, by assembling these inserts into the necks of thehollow knobs, door or drawer pulls and handles of excellent quality canbe produced at low unit cost. Furthermore, the outward pressure actionof the hollow button-like inserts and the co-aotion thereof with thehollow necks of the hollow knobs is such that the tighter the pulls orknobs are drawn up or screwed up, the tighter will the inserts engagethe interior surfaces of the necks so as to be positively retainedtherein.

One of the main objects of the invention is the provision of hollow,button-like inserts which may be com- Vmercially produced in largequantities at low unit cost 4and which are particularly useful forinsertion into the interiors of sleeve or tubular sections, such as thehollow necks of hollow knobs, to provide means for attaching said hollowknobs or other parts having tubular neck sections to drawers, doors andvarious objects.

Another object of the invention is the provision of drawer pulls, knobs,handles and the like wherein the hollow neck of each hollow knobcontains `an insert in the form of an outwardly distensible hollowbutton-like assembly which `accepts a screw and which upon turning in atightening `direction causes the side walls of the insert to distend andengage the interior surface of the hollow neck with increased friotionallocking action.

Other objects of the invention will, in part, be obvious and will inpart appear hereinafter.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of theinvention, reference may now be had to the following detaileddescription thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. l is a perspective view looking into the interior of a hollowcup-like member which forms one part of an insert forming one embodimentof this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view looking into the cup member of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective View showing the concave side of aconcavo-convex cover member for closing the cuplike -member shown inFIGS. l and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the cover member shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken through the center of aninsert formed by assembling the washer or cover of FIGS. 3 and 4 in thecup-like member of FIGS. 1 and 2, the view being on double scale withrespect to FIGS. l-4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view through a hollow knob provided with one ofthe clistensible inserts of FIG. 5 in the outer end of the neck portionand showing the manner in which the resulting pull or handle isattachable to a wooden member which may represent a drawer panel, acupboard door, etc.;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. l showing a hollowcup member of somewhat dilferent design;

FIG. 8 is a plan view looking into the cup member of FIG. 7;

lFIG. 9 is a view on double scale corresponding to FIG. 5 but showingthe cup member of FIGS. 7 and 8 combined with the washer or cover memberof FIGS. 3 and 4 in a somewhat different manner; and

FIG. 10 is `a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6 but showing themanner in which the distensible insert of FIG. 9 may be used on theinterior of the neck of the hollow knob.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cup member 5 is formed of metal, toughplastic, e.g. Teflon, or other yieldable material so as to have labottom 6 with side wall 7. While the cup 5 is round or cylindrical, itwill be understood that it could be yformed with multiple sides such asfor example being hexagonal in shape.

The bottom 6 is provided with a center aperture 8 and four L-shapedslots 10-10 are cut into or through the side wall 7 so as to extendradially part way in toward the aperture 8. The four slots thus dividethe cup 5 into four segments which are bendable or exible outwardly fromthe axis of the cup. Four indentations 11--11 are formed in the sidewall 7 to serve as supports for the cover or washer 12 shown in FIGS. 3and 4. The washer 12 is concavo-convex in shape. Tha-t is, it is concaveon the underside (i.e. left side) as shown in FIG. 3 and is convex onthe top or outer side as illustrated in FIG. 4. The washer or cover 12is formed with a short nipple portion 13 which is tapped or interiorlythreaded as shown in FIG. 3. Four radial slots 14-14 extend into theperiphery of the washer 12. The cup members 5 `and the covers or washermembers 12 may be readily stamped from thin metal sheet stock or moldedfrom tough plastics of sulicient strength.

While the four slots 10 in the cup 5 and four slots 14 in the cover 12have been found to be very satisfactory and provide adequate ilexibilitywhile retaining ample strength, it will be understood that satisfactoryinserts may be obtained with say three slots each, or with more slots,e.g. 5 or 6.

One of the covers 12 is assembled into the outer or open end of each oneof the cups 5 as shown in FIG. 5. It will be seen that each cover 12rests upon four indentations 11 so that it cannot move inwardly, i.e.coaxially, with respect to the cup 5. The cover or washer 12 is retainedin place by crimping over the rim or edges of the segments of the cup 5as indicated at 15 in FIG. 5. Thus, an insert in the form of a hollowbutton-like member is obtained which is indicated at 16 in FIG. '5. Theassembly may be accomplished by hand or machine.

It will be noted that the diameter of the smooth hole in the bottom 6 issomewhat larger than the inner diameter of the threaded nipple portion12 and this permits a screw to pass through the opening 8 withoutengaging the sides thereof and project into threaded engagement on thenipple 13 as shown in FIG. 6.

In use, the insert 16 is pushed or lightly pressed into the neck 17 of ahollow knob 18 as shown in FIG. 6. Hollow knobs 18 may be formed asmentioned above in accordance with the disclosure of Patent 2,688,297.As previoudsly mentioned, if the knob 18 is so formed, the inner surfaceof the neck 17 will be accurately dimensioned and iinished so that therewill be an accurate fit between each insert 16 and the neck 17 of eachof the hollow knobs 18. It will be seen that the insert 16 is pushedinto the neck 17 until the bottom end 6 of the insert is ush with therim or edge of the neck 17. When the insert 16 is so assembled in theneck 17 of the hollow knob 18, a finished drawer pull, drawer handle orthe like is obtained. Such pulls or handles may be readily attached tothe panel of a drawer, to a door, a cabinet, or any other object whichneeds a pull type handle or knob. In the installation shown in FIG. 6, ascrew 20 passes through a hole provided therefor in the Wood panelindicated at 21. The screw 20 passes with clearance through the opening8 and then screws into the nipple 13. It will be seen that when the knob18 is turned relative to the screw 20 the screw 20 will tend to movecoaxially into the knob 18. However, the head 20 of the screw willengage the adjacent surface of the panel 21 and prevent movement of thescrew 20. Similarly, the end of the neck 17 as well as the bottom 6 ofthe insert 16 will engage the panel 21 on the opposite side and preventinner movement of the handle or knob 18. When this condition is reachedin the installation, some additional turning of the knob is permittedand it will be seen that it tends to draw in the washer or cover member12. This pull exerted on the washer 12 at the nipple 13 tends to liattenit out. However, any flattening of the cover of washer 12 causes it tospread out at the margin or periphery. This spreading action isimpressed on the upper ends of the flexible sections of the cup portionwith the result that the whole side wall of the cup 5 tends to bedistended, i.e. expanded. However, it can be seen from FIG. 6 thatexpansion or distention of the insert 16 is resisted due to engagementand confinement by the interior surface of the neck 17. The net resultis that the more the knob 18 is tightened the tighter will the insert 16frictionally engage the inner surface of the neck 17 A modified form ofthe invention is shown in FIGS. 7-10. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a cupmember 25 is shown which corresponds to the cup member 5 in FIGS. 1 and2 except that in place of having the arcuate vdetents 11, the cup member25 is provided with four L- shaped detents 26-26 intermediate theL-shaped slots 27-27. One leg of each indentation 26 is in the side wallof the cup-like member while the other leg is in the bottom of the cupportion.

The cover or washer for the cup 25 can be the same as that in FIGS. 3and 4. However, in this instance the cover is assembled in an invertedposition as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. It rests on the outer ends of theindentations 26 and is secured in place by crimping. When the knob 28 istightened, the cover or washer 12 is pulled upwardly towards the head ofthe screw as viewed in FIG. 10. In this way the exible cover or washer12 is exed or urged toward a more attened condition thereby distendingor pressing out the sides of the cup portion into engagement with theinterior of the neck 30.

It will be appreciated that the hollow knobs 18 and 28 may have variousother shapes and sizes as desired. In fact, pulls having approximatelyone-half the size shown in FIGS. 6 and 10 are a popular size for drawerpulls, cabinet doors, etc.

The completed inserts 16 (FIG. 5), and the modified form of insert shownin FIG. 9, may have a range of outside diameters and still fall withinacceptable tolerances which can easily be maintained. Thus, it is notnecessary to adhere strictly to close tolerances as long as the outsidediameters of the completed inserts are slightly greater than the insidediameters of the knob or pull necks 17. The necks of the latter whenproduced in accordance with the method disclosed in Patent 2,688,297,will be accurately dimensioned and shaped so that there will benegligible variation in dimensions. When the inserts are assembled intothe pull or knob neck 17, these inserts will be contracted sufiicientlyto permit insertion and entry. If desired, the inserts may be pushedsufliciently far into the necks so that they will not be flush with theneck ends as shown in FIGS. 6 and l0. The contraction of the inserts ispermitted by reason of the inherent distendability and contractabilityof the inserts. This feature is very important since it means that theinserts can be mass-produced with comfortable tolerances without in anyway impair-ing the performance or ease of assembly of the completedunits.

After a completed pull such as 18 in FIG. 6 or 28 in FIG. l0 has beenassembled on a drawer, door, etc., and atension is applied to the boltor screw 20 or 20 so as to impart an expanding action to the insert,there will occur a slight bulging of the neck itself in the areasurrounding the insert. This bulging or distention takes place aroundthe entire circumference of the neck. While it is infinitesimal in sizeand not observable by the naked eye, nevertheless, it can be detected bysuitable instruments and is `therefore deiinitely present. Even thoughit is ever so slight, the distention is sufficient so that the assemblyis very durable and the force required to move or dislodge the insertsfrom the necks is many hundreds of pounds greater than the tensilestrength of the screws 20 or 20'.

It will also be appreciated that the inserts may be used for insertioninto the necks or sleeves of various articles, e.g. tubular table legs,and that their use is not limited to the necks of hollow knobs orhandles.

Since certain further changes may be made in addition to those referredto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, theembodiments of the invention described above in connection with thedrawings are intended to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

We claim:

1. A hollow button-like insert of the class described for retainedlocking engagement within the interior surface of a tubular sectioncomprising, a cylindrical cupshaped member providing snug telescopicfrictional engagement within said tubular section and having a centralopening in its bottom portion and a plurality of L-shaped slots each ofwhich completely severs the sidewall portion of said cup-shaped memberand extends radially part way into the bottom portion thereof so as todivide said member into a plurality of flexible segments integrallyinterconnected in said bottom portion, the combined widths of said slotsbeing small in comparison with the outer circumference of saidcup-shaped member, a separate flexible concavo-convex member lockedwithin the rim of said cup-shaped member so as to be retained in spacedrelation with said bottom portion and having an internally threadednipple co-axial with said central bottom opening whereby upon applying aforce on said nipple in the co-axial direction tending to flatten saidconcavo-convex member the latter tends to distend said exible side wallsegments into tighter locking engagement within said tubular section,said central bottom opening being large enough to permit a screw havingthreaded engagement within said nipple to slide through said opening.

2. The insert of claim l wherein said cylindrical cupshaped member has aplurality of indentations on the interior of said side wall adjacent therim thereof against which the margin of said concavo-convex memberengages and which limit the inward movement of said concave-convexmember into said cup-shaped member,

with at least portions of said rim being crimped over said margin tolock said concavo-convex member in place.

3. The insert of claim 2 wherein said indentations are generally arcuateand lie in a plane approximately perpendicular to the principal axis ofsaid cup-shaped member.

4. The insert of claim 2 wherein said indentations are L-shaped andlying in transverse planes including the principal axis, eachindentation having one leg in the side wall of said cup-shaped memberand a second leg in the bottom wall thereof.

5. A knob comprising a hollow neck in the form of a tubular section anda hollow button-like insert retained within said tubular section, saidhollow buttonlike insert comprising, a cylindrical cup-shaped memberproviding snug telescopic frictional engagement within said tubularsection and having a central opening in its bottom portion and aplurality of L-shaped slots each of which completely severs the sidewallportion of said cup-shaped member and extends radially part way into thebottom portion thereof so as to divide said member into a plurality offlexible segments integrally interconnected in said bottom portion, thecombined widths of said slots being small in comparison with the outercircumference of said cup-shaped member, a separate ilexibleconcavo-convex member locked within the rim of said cup-shaped member soas to be retained in spaced relation with said bottom portion and havingan internally threaded nipple co-axial with said central bottom openingwhereby upon applying a force on said nipple in the co-axial directiontending to flatten said concavo-convex member the latter tends todistend said flexible side wall segments into tighter locking engagementwithin said tubular section, said central bottom opening being largeenough to permit a screw having threaded engagement within said nippleto slide through said opening.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 274,433Bennett Mar. 20, 1883 1,580,781 Fitch Apr. 13, 1926 1,593,986 PoirierJuly 27, 1926 1,817,775 Sipe Aug. 4, 1931 2,218,581 Levan Oct. 22, 19402,326,866 Kincaid Aug. 17, 1943 2,698,775 Courtwright Jan. 4, 1955

